Back around 1980 I came home to NH for a visit. I was stationed at USCGAS Sitka, AK on HH3F rescue helicopters as a SAR flight mechanic. Anyway I visited a local gun shop and found 4” & 8” 629s. I had only read about the 6” new model 629 in the gun rags. I bought them and returned to Sitka. I ended up selling the 8” to a CG pilot for enough to nearly pay for both. Most of us carried handguns either in shoulder holsters or in our kit bags in case a survival situation happened. I carried it for many years while in Sitka and later stationed at CGAS Kodiak. I used it for a hunting, fishing and camping sidearm during those years. I still have it and have added back an 8” as well as a 6” P&R’d 629s.